To make Nigeria’s inefficient primary healthcare system effective, the government plans an overhaul that could lead to some sort of financial autonomy for individual health centres.

The Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, who stated this on Monday, said the move could lead to primary healthcare centres, PHCs, “having full control of how they utilize the money” they are allocated.

Represented by the Director of Public Health at the ministry, Evelyn Ngige, Mr. Adewole spoke at the 2nd Annual Primary Health Care Service Lecture, held in Abuja. He said the current administration would want to be remembered for putting in place a functional primary healthcare system.

“The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would love to be remembered in making basic healthcare services qualitative, accessible and affordable to all Nigerians,” he said.

“Financial autonomy at the PHC facility level, making sure money gets to the primary healthcare facilities directly with facilities having full control of how they utilize the money, will help enhance the viability of PHC in the country.”